July 2001, No. 40

Deadline for contributions: 31 October 2001
					
THIS BULLETIN ABSTRACTS THE COMMUNICATIONS RECEIVED BY THE VIENNA NGO COMMITTEE ON THE FAMILY. IT DOES NOT REFLECT ALL FAMILY-ORIENTED ACTIVITIES. NOR DOES IT INTEND TO GIVE EMPHASIS TO ONE ORGANIZATION, COUNTRY OR ATTITUDE OVER ANOTHER. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE YOUR NEWS AND VIEWS REFLECTED, PLEASE SHARE THEM WITH US. WE WILL ENDEAVOR TO REPORT ON THEM WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THIS PUBLICATION.

Vienna NGO Committee on the Family
*Martinstrasse 92/3, A-1180 Vienna, Austria
(Phone/Fax: 43-1-405 89 01
Email: famcom.vienna@utanet.at
Web: http://www.viennafamilycommittee.org
For contributions to ‘Families International’:
Email: ematt@vki.or.at

From The Desk Of The Editors 
Dear reader, I would like to draw your attention to the new Homepage of the Committee (http://www.viennafamilycommittee.org), which has been available since 4 April 2001. It should help focus the celebratory preparations for 2004, intensify our service to the ca. 900 members of the world-wide network of family-oriented NGOs, government agencies, research and university institutes and also hopefully help increase the present membership of 63 organisations. It was established with the financial support of the Austrian Federal Ministry for Social Security and Generations and presently we are expecting the permission of the UN Legal Office to use the UN and IYF logo on the page.

special feature:
Male Involvement in Families

By Winston Sims
Editor's Note: Much of what follows is drawn from US-based materials, because this is where a preponderance of the research has been carried out. But some is based on research from other countries. It is the case that many of the concepts as they relate to the US might also be of interest in other parts of the world. Obviously, it should not be expected that the findings would be identical.

From what follows it is clear that for men/fathers to play a far more positive role there must be: 
a)	far more attention to the values, attitudes and behaviours required of men to become effective parents; 
b)	among those called for are a greater emphasis on warmth, empathy, concern, consideration, tenderness, thoughtfulness, playfulness and sharing; 
c)	a greater sensitivity and firmer commitment to responsible paternity both prior to and during marriage; 
d)	a greater availability and presence of fathers in the lives of their children; 
e)	a wider recognition on the part of both fathers and mothers that fathers are essential to the well-being of children; 
f)	a significant increase in both the ability and the willingness of fathers to participate actively in homemaking and child care and 
g)	a willingness on the part of fathers to contribute to and benefit from a sharing of power within the family and the society in general.

Discrimination Against Women
The International Women's Conferences recognised that where discrimination against women occurred, it was men who were doing the discriminating. Importantly, they addressed issues associated with the empowerment of women within the family, the community, the society, the economy as well as the importance of women's self-esteem and self-worth. In all cases the Conferences have addressed the importance of enabling women's access to and acquisition of knowledge, skills and resources, especially financial and economic resources.

Paradoxically, however, there was little if any attention to fostering or enabling a change of attitudes on the part of men. Where discrimination against women takes place it is a man's problem and it is men who must be involved in their own reconstruction. Men should change men. Not just for the sake of their relationships with their partners, and their spouses, but for their own enrichment and for that of succeeding generations. An ever-wider and deeper body of research tells us that men, husbands and fathers are vital to the well-being of the younger generations.

The point is to create families, communities and societies in which women and men are seen as being inclusive, in which each enriches the life of the other, and are seen as complementing each other, not as being exclusive in which one seeks control or domination at the expense of the other.

Too rarely, do we understand that we men and women, are the trustees of our families, our communities, our societies and our countries. Nothing less.

For men, this can require some radical departures in values and attitudes. For example, emphasis should be given to the emotional aspects of male behaviour in which maleness is characterised by warmth, empathy, concern, consideration, tenderness, thoughtfulness, playfulness, caring and sharing. Maleness must be de-linked from detachment, impulsiveness, thoughtlessness, aggressiveness and from non-involvement. 

It is also important to give greater and more positive notoriety in the form of public recognition, reinforcement and a new image to men who carry new responsibilities and discharge new roles.

In such a context men must assume more positive, constructive roles in family planning, home-making and child care. They must also be responsible toward their partner and toward the prospect of parenthood.

These new roles call for more active and explicit involvement of males during courting, during sexual relations and in deciding with the partner the steps to be taken to avoid pregnancy, the numbers and the spacing of children desired as well as what might be done in the event of an undesired pregnancy.

It is certainly within the power of women to offer another form of mirror to men through which they can see themselves. 

Media in the form of textbooks, novels, movies, television, radio, advertising, etc. should present men as being actively involved in all aspects of family responsibilities so men may be associated visually and aurally with the full range of familial, household and child care responsibilities.

In the U.S., the National Centre on Fathers and Families (NCOFF) (http://www.ncoff.gse.upenn.edu/briefs) has identified six indicators of fathering. They involve: father presence; care-giving; children's social competence, co-operative parenting, father's healthy living, and material and financial contributions. To these we would add home-making; family formation; parenting and child care; income, poverty and child support.

Family Formation
Family formation often takes place incrementally with the two partners getting to know each other over time, except for those societies, which maintain a rigid segregation between the male and the female until marriage.

There are few if any indicators of the frequency or rate at which these relationships come into being, their duration and the rates at which or the time after which they become formally recognised in law or custom.

‘The preponderance of the research suggests that the initial transition to parenthood produces psychological stress for both mothers and fathers, ...such as anxiety, feelings of being overwhelmed, and emotional upheaval ...and can have a negative impact on marital quality, augmenting conflict and change’, e.g. Cowan et al., 1985; Goldberg et al., 1985. (NCOFF, Literature Reviews, Role Transitions)

‘Other common stressors include the perceived overall increase in family responsibilities, sexual conflict with partners, unresolved attitudes concerning their own parents, and the possibility of cementing dysfunctional relationships. These concerns increase fathers' anxiety and fears and can lead to marital dissatisfaction (Coley and James, 1976). To understand the impact of the transition to fatherhood on a father, it is necessary also to understand the nature of the couple's relationship prior to having a child together, as well as the social and psychological conditions in which they currently live.’ (NCOFF, Literature Reviews, Role Transitions)

‘The author of the review suggests that it is not the child, nor change per se, that is responsible for martial conflict but rather the increased gender differentiation that is associated with the arrival of a child.’ (Ibid.)

While significant maturation can occur in the male as well as the female as they experience their first pregnancy and childbirth...only fathers report feeling distant from the baby. 

‘Because mothers have traditionally taken a leadership role in feeding, cleaning, and clothing the new-born, fathers perceive early on that theirs is an ancillary role in child-rearing. (Barnhill et al., 1979) Osofsky and Culp contend that these feelings of alienation are normative and dissipate over time, as the competence and maturity level of the father increases.’ (NCOFF, Literature Reviews, Role Transitions)

‘Traditional gender differentiation frequently leaves mothers less satisfied in their marriages during the initial transition to parenthood because they typically bear the responsibility of being caretakers, whereas fathers are permitted simply to be their children's playmates. This implies that greater paternal involvement leads to better marital adjustment for fathers and mothers.’ (NCOFF, Literature Reviews, Role Transitions)

‘Although the transition to fatherhood represents a normal progression on the path to adulthood, some researchers maintain that this progression can suffer from the lack of preparation men receive for the father role. (Barnhill et al., 1979; Klein, 1985; Wente and Crockenberg, 1976) They argue that the socialisation of young boys and adolescent males often does not extend beyond teaching instrumental paternal responsibilities to include basic parenting knowledge and skills that would prepare them for involved parenthood. Because men seldom receive formal training on how to be an effective father, they either mimic adult role models they had as children (for example, their own fathers), learn by doing, or diminish their involvement with the child.’ (NCOFF, Literature Reviews, Role Transitions)

‘The consequences of an adolescent pregnancy can be severe. Adolescent parents often lower their educational and career aspirations and put their own personal and social development and economic self-sufficiency on hold indefinitely. 

‘On the other hand, there is some evidence that unscheduled pregnancy and teen parenthood may not necessarily doom one to a life of destitution, despair, and disappointment (Furstenberg et al., 1987). Some teen parents are able to adjust well to their early transition by reorganising their lives and making progress toward their personal goals. The adolescent mother's ability to resume her educational career and create a healthy, long-standing relationship with the baby's father increases the likelihood that she will get back onto the developmental path toward adulthood.’ (NCOFF, Literature Reviews, Role Transitions)

‘When a teenager becomes a father, marrying his child's mother increases the chances that additional pregnancies will occur; as a result, educational attainment and employment earnings suffer, and marital conflict and dissatisfaction are probable.’ (NCOFF, Literature Reviews, Role Transitions)

From this it can be seen that it is essential that men take a far more active, sensitive, thoughtful, and effective approach regarding responsible paternity. It is similarly incumbent upon women, as well, to ensure along with their partners that each child is a wanted child. The abandonment of even one mother and child by the father is one too many.

Parenting and child care
In almost all parts of the world grandparents are an important source of support, in some cases, more important than the biological parents themselves. Their contribution to their grandchildren's values, attitudes and behaviours can be equally significant.

Perhaps the most important source of intergenerational learning is through our own parents who are the principal agents of socialisation in childhood. Children learn their parents' beliefs, values, attitudes and behaviours both directly and indirectly. Thus both partners bring complex sets of values, attitudes and behaviours which powerfully shape their roles, behaviours and attitudes within their new relationships.

Parenting should be seen in both biological and social contexts, and being a biological father calls for a far more limited set of skills than being an effective paternal parent.

‘For adolescent parents, families of origin are key influences on the transition to parenthood, and their influence can ease or complicate the transition. In addition, cultural expectations about adolescent parenting can also influence teenagers' behaviour and experiences.’ (NCOFF, Literature Reviews, Role Transitions)

‘Since adolescent fathers are very likely to live apart from their baby's mother, they often feel alienated, inconsequential, and unable to become meaningfully involved in their children's lives, especially in the early years. Adolescent mothers and their families of origin often serve as gatekeepers for father involvement. (Belsky and Miller, 1986) For some adolescent fathers, later participation in the lives of their children becomes complicated when their children's mothers have had multiple children fathered by other men. These relationships are sometimes strained as a result of role confusion, logistics, emotional conflict, and overlapping interests of both the adolescents and their families of origin.’

‘In general, adolescent males who were psychologically committed to their female partner prior to pregnancy want to be involved at some level in child-rearing, while uncommitted, promiscuous fathers may have little interest in parenting or establishing relationships with their children (Belsky and Miller, 1986). In any event, the more active the adolescent father is in early decision-making, the more involved he will be in the pregnancy and beyond (Robinson, 1988).’

The ability and willingness of fathers to perform home-making tasks may well be a good indicator of their level of motivation to acquire parenting and child care-skills.

Home-making offers men untold opportunities to become familiar with ‘domestic’ tasks, ones which are closely related to parenting and child care, but less critical in some ways, which heretofore have only been available to women. Men can now be challenged by house cleaning including sweeping, dusting and vacuuming where applicable; making beds or shaking out the rugs or mats as well as the fleas which they sometimes attract; balancing five gallon cans filled with water and a floating piece of banana leaf on their heads and having to walk a few kilometres; then using that water to do the dishes and the laundry, spreading the clothes to dry on the branches; finding, gathering and carrying fuel for cooking or other purposes; they can learn the arts of butchering, carving, vegetable preparation, cooking, baking as well as a host of other tasks which until now they have only enjoyed from a distance.

Child-care, on the other hand, is critical to the well-being, even survival, of the smallest family members. Child-care should involve men in assisting with the birth where possible, bringing the child to be nursed at night and returning the child to its bed; bathing the child; changing its diapers or clothes; watching the child during its ventures; playing games; making simple toys to occupy the child creatively; taking measures to assure a safer home environment especially in food-cooking areas; making simple garments; etc.

In this context it is recognised that no one parent or one person is sufficient for the parenting and raising required by children. Rather, the positive, constructive, co-operative efforts of many are required in any environment. It really does ‘...take an entire village to raise a child’. 

Father presence
This research perspective tends to look at a wider variety of economic, psychological, cultural, attitudinal, behavioural, and interactional characteristics that relate to the range of ways in which ‘present’ fathers enrich family life.

The presence of fathers is central to the care and support of children. This is true whether in terms of economic well-being, emotional and social support as well as child development. 

As is well-known, a father in the household does not always mean that he is ‘present’ and available to the children. On the other hand, a father who does not live in the same household may be much more so. Thus the mere presence while usually a necessary condition is not a sufficient condition. Being a biological mother or father does not mean that one is an effective parent.

‘Father-child interaction has been shown to promote a child's well-being, perceptual abilities, and competency for relatedness with others, even at a young age.’ (Kraupe) ‘Children with fathers at home tend to do better in school, are less prone to depression and are more successful in relationships.’ (Kettering)

Income, poverty and child support
There are few societies in which the earnings or incomes of men and women are equal for equal work. In almost all cases women earn significantly less than men for equal work. This adversely affects her capacity to earn and helps to explain the high rate of poverty among female-headed single-parent families which in turn has strongly negative effects on children.

‘While the transition to fatherhood can be stressful at any age (Osofsky and Culp, 1989), fathering in the adolescent years produces added difficulties because, like adolescent girls, adolescent boys are already in a volatile stage of life. (Robinson, 1988) Adolescent fathers are often ill-equipped to assume new financial and care-giving roles and responsibilities as they progress from childhood to adulthood. There is clear research evidence that males who father children as teenagers are less likely than those who do not become fathers to complete high school, and this finding appears to be consistent across all racial/ethnic groups (Marsiglio, 1986). In addition, lower educational attainment levels among teenage fathers often translate into less desirable jobs and lower earnings as adults, and overall higher unemployment rates.’ (NCOFF, Literature Reviews, Role Transitions)

In those households in which men are no longer a presence, or no longer contribute to child support, the lesser earnings of women are often the sole source of support for the children as well. Although many studies have shown that women are likely to use a larger proportion of their income for the well-being of their children than men, this is still inadequate and contributes to the impoverishment of the female-headed families and diminishes the life chances of the children. 

The conclusion is inescapable: ‘...the male's role in family and community decision-making, in influencing the nutritional and psychosocial development of children, and in sharing financial responsibility for family welfare has been crucial, but not well understood.’ (Achieving Gender Equality in Families: The Role of Males, Innocenti Global Seminar, 8-18 May 1995, Kingston, Jamaica. UNICEF, p.7.)

The presence and participation of men/fathers is a necessary condition for the well-being of the family and especially the children.

Children's social competence
A function of parents, relatives, siblings, community and the wider society interacting or engaging with the children, this contributes to the child's self-image, self-esteem, the ease with which he or she relates to individuals, groups, colleagues or customers. It is also central to the ability of the child to succeed in school, the range of behaviours necessary to optimise learning, to co-operate and collaborate with other students and teachers, 

‘Although the relationship between divorced fathers and their children may be considered a special case of the single parent paradigm, it is critical to view divorce as a process rather than an isolated event in the life of the child. Predivorce conflict may predict child outcomes better than changes in paternal residence and contact.’ (NCOFF, Literature reviews, Father Presence Matters)

Father's Healthy Living
‘Providing a role model through healthy lifestyle, education and appropriate social behaviours that teach work and personal ethics, as well as social norms, help children grow and become productive members of society.’ (Ibid. p. 2)

Nowhere are the commitments to healthy living and responsible paternity more important than with respect to prevention of HIV/AIDS. Families struck by HIV/Aids often lose the father first, leaving the mother and the children to fend for themselves. As is so often the case, however, the mother also becomes infected, which may or may not be transmitted to any children born subsequent to the infection. Where both parents have been stricken, orphan-headed households often result. These children, of course, not only have the responsibility of caring for themselves, but for their elderly grand-parents as well who would otherwise have been supported by their now deceased children.

Proposals/Recommendations
It is recommended that research, education, training, policies and programmes be undertaken with respect to:
•	responsible paternity;
•	greater realisation that both parents, regardless of their compatibility or lack thereof, are necessary for the raising of children;
•	enhancing the presence of fathers and the involvement of fathers in the lives of their children;
•	development of fatherhood and parenting curricula at all levels of education;
•	shared roles and responsibilities within families;
•	reduction and elimination of gender stereotyping;
•	the relationship of ethnicity and cultural context to the roles of fathers and the kinds and quality of child care activities in which fathers are engaged;
•	a balancing of work and family responsibilities in part through greater access to flexitime and parental leave; 
•	management of interpersonal and intergenerational conflict;
•	cultivating sources of intergenerational and community support of father-headed, single-parent families;
•	policies and programs should focus on the needs of the child;
•	education and training of fathers that their role as nurturer is as important to their children as their role as provider;
•	ensure that child support systems do not result in barriers to fathers' involvement in the lives of their children; 
•	identify ‘best practices’ regarding child support policies that encourage non-custodial father involvement;
•	adolescent fathers should be offered social interventions such as career training, job placement, and parenting education;
•	sustain the participation of fathers in their children's learning process;
Contact: Winston Sims, Vienna NGO Committee on the Family, Martinstrasse 92/3, A-1180 Vienna, Austria, Phone/Fax: 43-1-405 89 01, Email: famcom.vienna@utanet.at

Bibliography
Barnhill, L., Rubenstein, G., & Rocklin N. (1979). From generation to generation: Fathers to be in transition. The Family Co-ordinator, 28, 229-235.
Belsky, J. & Miller, B. C. (1986). Adolescent fatherhood in the context of the transition to parenthood. In A.B. Elster & M.E. Lamb (Eds.), Adolescent fatherhood, (pp. 107-122). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Coley, S. B. & James, B. E. (October 1976). Delivery: A trauma for fathers.
The Family Co-ordinator, 359-363.
Cowan, C. P., Cowan, P. A., Heming, G., Garrett, E., Coyish, W. S., Curtis-Boles, H., & Boles, A. J. (1985). Transition to parenthood: His, hers, and theirs. Journal of Family Issues, 6, 451-481.
Dore, M.M. & Dumois, A. O. (1990). Cultural differences in the meaning of adolescent pregnancy. Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Human Services, 71, 93-101.
Furstenberg, F. F., Jr., Morgan, S. P., & Allison, P. D. (1987). Paternal participation and children's well-being. American Sociological Review, 52, 695-701.
Goldberg, W. A., Michaels, G. Y., & Lamb, M. E. (1985). Husbands' and wives' adjustment to pregnancy and first parenthood. Journal of Family Issues, 6, 483-503.
(Kettering) One Parent Families and their Children: The School's Most Significant Minority, The Consortium for the Study of School Needs of Children from One-Parent Families, National Association of Elementary School Principals and the Institute for Development of Educational Activities, a division of the Charles F. Kettering Foundation. (www.kettering.org)
Klein, B. (1985). Fathering: The first time. Social Work, 30, 264-267.
Kraupe, E.M. and Fairweather, P.D. ‘Father Presence and Family Formation: A Theoretical Reformulation’, Journal of Family Issues, 14:4 (December 1993): 572-591.
Marsiglio, W. (1986). Teenage fatherhood: High school completion and educational attainment. In A. B. Elster & M. E. Lamb (Eds.), Adolescent fatherhood, (pp. 67-87). Hillsdale, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates.
Osofsky, H. J. & Culp, R. E. (1989). Risk factors in the transition to fatherhood. In S. H. Cath, A. Gurwitt, & L. Gunsberg (Eds.), Fathers and their Families, (pp. 145-165). Hillsdale, NJ: The Analytic Press.
Robinson, B. (1988). Psychological adjustment of teenage fathers. In B. Robinson (Ed.), Teenage fathers, (pp. 53-69). Lexington, MA: Lexington Books.
Wente, A. S. & Crockenberg, S. B. (1976). Transition to fatherhood: Lamaze preparation, adjustment difficulty and the husband-wife relationship. The Family Co-ordinator, 351-357.

Fathers And Authority
Psychological problems used to be thought to originate from the child’s relationship with his/her mother. Recently (especially under the influence of Jacques Lacan). More attention has been given to the role of the father in the family. The traditional father figure represents authority, he sets the rules, is often seen as a menace and can be feared. He does not tolerate his power being questioned and sees his children as competitors. A more human father figure is the one who does not fear to lose authority in giving space to the child’s development and encouraging his autonomy. A third father figure is the one who no longer exercises his function and has abdicated to the mother (or to the child’s whims). He is unable to establish clear norms within the family system, resulting in the confusion of the respective roles. This type of father may be able to get strict rules in his work place, but when he returns home, he leaves his dignity outside the front door, and importantly, can no longer act appropriately, even when the mother is confronted with the child’s manipulations and is too weak to deal with them, pressures him to exert a ‘father’s authority’. This authority he had unfortunately given up long before, and the result of his efforts is then grotesque and totally ineffectual. In addition he can be also confronted with the mother’s siding with the child. In the case of a drug addict, for instance, it is the addict who in the ends sets the climate in the discord between the parents and gets his way.
Contact: Francesco Mele, CeIS, Via Attilio Ambrosini 129, 00147 Rome, Italy, Phone: 39-06-5419 5216, Fax: 39-06-5407 304, Email: ceis@ceis.it, Website: http://www.ceis.it

NEWS FROM THE UNITED NATIONS

UN General Assembly Special Session On Children
The ‘Special Session on Children’, taking place from 19-21 September 2001 in New York during the UN General Assembly Session 2001 will be a major event to review the achievements and failures for children. The Special Session is intended to discuss major concerns for protecting the rights of children world-wide, to develop specific goals and give indications for the future in the field of child policies. It is a follow-up meeting to the ‘World Summit on Children’ in 1990, and also dedicated to review the implementation of the ‘UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, in force since 1989 (see also: http://www.unicef.org/specialsession/).

The large preparatory process, mounting in three international preparatory committees in New York, has extensively discussed the outcome document of the Special Session. Led by the Child Rights Caucus, a number of NGOs have been contributing to the debate and produced an alternative text. The preliminary version of the outcome document of the Special Session can be found at http://www.unicef.org/specialsession/pro.outcome.doc. The family appears as transversal issue in the document being referred to as main caretaker requiring support. 
NGOs wishing to contribute to the text can address Jo Becker (Email: beckerj@hrw.org) from Human Rights Watch who co-ordinates the Caucus input. 

VIENNA NGO COMMITTEE ON THE FAMILY

International Seminar On Racism And Xenophobia, Vienna, 7 May 2001
Jointly organised by the seven NGO Committees at the UN in Vienna and attended by over 100 participants. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Ms. Mary Robinson, sent a member of her staff in Geneva, Ms. Birgit Van Hout, to address the seminar. A joint statement was adopted, which reads as follows:

We,
the participants in the International Seminar on Racism and Xenophobia in Vienna, jointly organised by CONGO Vienna and all seven NGO Committees (Ageing, Crime Prevention, Development, Family, Narcotic Drugs, Peace and Status of Women),

Welcoming the holding of the World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance,

Expressing our full support for the United Nations Declaration and International Convention on the Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination and the Programme of Action for the 3rd Decade to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, 1993-2003, and

Recognising the crucial role that civil society plays 

Are very concerned that the above-mentioned Convention and the Programme of Action are still far from being fully implemented.

We therefore urge the World Conference to take appropriate decisions and include the following measures in its Programme of Action, whereby Governments are urged to:

1.	Intensify the work towards the prevention and elimination of all forms and acts of racial and other discrimination and xenophobia;
2.	Ensure protection for people who are victims of, or vulnerable to, such discrimination;
3.	Empower migrants and immigrants to participate actively in the life of their countries of residence, while maintaining their own cultural identities;
4.	Support the rights of indigenous people;
5.	Stress the importance of formal and informal education and training for all people at all levels, including the family level, as a means to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance as well as promote respect for diversity. This education and training should be mandatory, in particular for teachers, police, personnel in the administration of justice, law enforcement agencies and other state-related institutions;
6.	Take necessary measures to curb the dissemination of violence and propagation of hate through the media, especially the Internet, and particularly aimed at young people;
7.	Pay specific attention to the relationship between racial discrimination and discrimination based on gender and age and develop measures to curb the effects of this particular kind of discrimination and promote equality;
8.	Pay specific attention to the reunification of families;
9.	Enforce policies to eradicate poverty since efforts to combat racism and xenophobia are often closely linked to policies aimed at enhancing economic and social development;
10.	Co-operate fully with all actors of society, in particular in partnership with non-governmental organisations, to eliminate racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance in fostering a vision of world citizenship in unity and diversity; 
11.	To facilitate and support actively all forms of intercultural youth exchange on an international level with a view to eliminating racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.

Racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance are very often the cause and pretext for wars and armed conflict; overcoming these phenomena is a vital contribution to world peace.

We commit ourselves to integrating in our organisations at all levels those who have experienced discrimination and xenophobia.
Vienna, 7 May 2001
Contact: Vienna NGO Committee on the Family, Martinstrasse 92/3, A-1180 Vienna, Austria, Email: famcom.vienna@utanet.at

The International Day Of Families – 15 MAY 2001

Hong Kong Council Of Social Service Launches Summit On Family Solidarity
To commemorate the International Day of Families (IDF), the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, which is a Federation of over 270 NGOs in Hong Kong, launched the Captioned Summit on 15 May 2001.

Strengthening family solidarity is the theme of the activities for IDF 2001. The theme is chosen in response to the weakening of family solidarity in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Council of Social Service’s Social Development Index which was released in June 2000, clearly showed that there were substantial social losses recorded on the family solidarity subindex (-166) between 1986 and 1998.

The summit was successfully held and more than three hundred participants from different disciplines and families joined the event. A series of workshops were conducted before the summit. The following aspects of social policies were examined in the workshops and in the summit: family values and media influence; housing and town planning; education, school and family; income stability and caring employers; government and community support and legislative protection and visions on family solidarity. The concerned policy and its impact on family, ways to strengthen family solidarity etc. were examined.

The Council is in the process of compiling the views and recommendations gathered from the workshops and the summit into a proceeding. 
Further information: Ms. Virginia Chan, Hong Kong Council of Social Service, 13/F, Duke of Windsor Social Service Building, 15, Hennessy Road, Hong Kong, Fax: 852-2865 4916, Email: virginia.chan@hkcss.org.hk

Parents Forum
The happy coincidence of this year's International Day of Families with a Networking Breakfast of the Cambridge (Massachusetts USA) Chamber of Commerce, gave PARENTS FORUM founder Eve Sullivan an opportunity to remind business men and women of the importance of social investment that is, volunteering. Two other board members, Lee Ann Frigulietti and Gene Kalaw, also represented PARENTS FORUM at the breakfast. Eve commented that ‘our two messages - the benefit of community involvement and the value of parenting education - were both very well received, by business people as well as by representatives of other non-profit organisations’.
Contact: Parents Forum, 144 Pemberton Street, Cambridge MA 02140-2509, USA, Email: info@parentsforum.org, Web: http://www.parentsforum.org

The Child Guidance Centres 
Celebrated the International Family Day with children drawing pictures, writing songs, decorating our offices with family photos, and with treats for everyone. Children were asked to email their international pen pals to wish them best regards.
Contact: Child Guidance Centres, Akron, Ohio 44302, USA, Email: cvehlow@childgc.org

Volunteer Work Is Based On The Family
Declaration of the International Kolping Society on the International Day of the Family
‘Families and Volunteers Generate Social Cohesion and Dependable Networks’ is the motto of this year’s International Day of the Family. It thereby makes reference to the UN proclaimed ‘Year of the Volunteers – 2001’.

The importance of volunteer work is accorded a high value in today’s world. It is not only a recognition of the high economic value of this work, which never appears on any official balance sheet. Of primary significance is acknowledging its importance for the social cohesion within a society, which is usually called ‘civic society’ today.

It is in the family that the foundation is laid for the growth through which children and adolescents integrate into their society. It is here that they learn - or fail to learn - to take on responsibility, to develop value concepts, and to get involved in the welfare of their community. The Kolping Society sees itself as the advocate for the families and supports their important function in many different ways.

Studies undertaken in Germany have shown that 90% of volunteers live in a family household, even though these represent only 35% of all households. This shows that the willingness to perform volunteer work comes from the inter-generational solidarity practised within the family. 

The International Kolping Society calls upon all responsible authorities in the political and civic arenas to support the families to enable them to carry out their multi-faceted tasks. Parameters must be established that make it possible for people, and especially young adults, to co-ordinate family, earning a living, and volunteering. The diversity of societal life and the cohesiveness in society will depend on whether children and adolescents grow up in families in which they learn to take on responsibility.
(signed)
Msgr. Heinrich Festing
International Praeses
Hubert Tintelott
International Secretary

For more information: International Kolping Society, General Secretary Hubert Tintelott, Phone: 49-221-2070 148, Email: ikw@kolping.de or cleo@kolping.at

Information Sheet Of ULLFA
The activities connected with the International Day of Families
In the evening on the 15 May – the International Day of Families – children and parents from the capital of Latvia - Riga, Riga region and Latvian TV were streaming to the Riga Zakusala (Hare Island) where the 6th traditional event the Families Day’s Fire took place. The motto of this event was Families and Volunteers – Building Social Cohesion and the primary task for all was the voluntary work - to spruce the territory of this island before this day’s celebration and before organising here the 9th Family Festival ‘Family Hare-2001’ and Summer Family Camp together with the celebration of the 10-year anniversary of the Union of Latvian Large Family Association (ULLFA) and the 800-year anniversary of Riga which are planned on 17-19 of August. After this work the families at the fire sang songs, played different games, spoke about life problems, summer activities here and about the eventual Baltic seminar for Family organisations which some days before this event was offered to organise from the side of Vienna NGO Committee on the Family. This Families Day’s Fire took place at the Latvian TV building and was broadcast in the evening news all through Latvia. Next Family fire we will kindle in August and all the families, which could come to Riga with tents, are invited to be with us. There is possibility to get more information about Riga’s celebrations in these days on the Web: http://www.riga800.lv/en/go/index.asp

The Families Day’s event in Riga was organised by ULLFA and the Trade Union of Latvian TV with financial support from the Council of Riga, which provided public transport free of charge for participating families. Unfortunately, the number of similar activities in other regions of Latvia have decreased compared to previous years. For already six years, the Latvian Government has not been able to carry out its own order on including the International Day of Families in the State Calendar.
Contact: Leonids Mucenieks, Chairman of ULLFA and Latvian TV Trade Union, Email: leonids@ltv.lv

International Day Of Families Celebration In Mexico
We presented the entitled ‘Family and Childhood’ of the Psicología Iberoamericana review (Vol. 9, No. 1). This number of the review edited by the Universidad Iberoamericana was dedicated to present the works on very important themes around marginalised people. We started discussing the changes experienced by the family in the last decades, transforming the traditional institutional model of nuclear family in a plurality of forms: one parent, female head etc. to introduce childhood as a social category that is experiencing substantial changes because of the cultural globalisation, situation that presents risks and unpublished opportunities. A special report included shows the results of a Study of Boys, Girls, and Young Workers in the Federal District (Mexico's capital), where problems concerning children’s labour affects thousands of children who limit their education and constitutes a factor that reproduces poverty. There were also collaborations that show the community solution, specifically a Psychosocial Prevention Model named 'Chimalli' (an Aztec word that means 'protection') and some clinical approaches based on clinical and family intervention.
An important observation on this day: 15 May is dedicated in Mexico to celebrate teachers, it is the Teacher's Day.
Contact: Jorge Llanes, INEPAR, Instituto de Educación Preventiva y Atención de Riesgos, AC, Heriberto Frías 710 pb Col Dekl Valle, Delegación Benito Juárez, México, DF 03100, México, Email: inepar@prodigy.net.mx

The Family – The Key To Social Development
The ‘International Day of the Family’ held on 15 May is significant for SOS Children's Villages for several reasons: the philosophy of the organisation is based on creating a family-like environment for children in need. On the other hand, the work of SOS Children's Villages is increasingly being confronted by the changing definition of the family and the deep changes taking place in society, which are affecting the family world-wide. The aim of the United Nations International Day of the Family is to increase general awareness of the significance of the family as the smallest social unit which carries the largest amount of social development. The day is intended to be a sign of solidarity with families as well as highlighting the need for more support, security and recognition. The family holds a key position in society: it guarantees protection and security and forms a network of relationships, in which integration can be experienced and social rules can be conveyed. As the first ‘point of reference’ for children, it influences their world of experiences, their values, their capabilities, their socialisation. However, the family as a traditional unit is facing massive economic, demographic, social and political changes in all parts of the world. Worsening conditions on the employment market, the reduction of social support by the state and economic constraints are putting families under more pressure and are endangering their role in society. In many countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, extreme poverty, armed conflict, natural disasters and disease have driven families into what appears to be a hopeless fight for survival. But also in the industrial nations of the West, more and more families are fighting against economic pressures and social poverty.

These developments are reflected in the work and provision of services offered by the different SOS Children's Village facilities. Through approximately 4,000 SOS Children's Village families in over 400 SOS Children's Villages we offer orphaned and destitute children stable and long-term care in a family-like environment, based on the four-pillar model of ‘mother-brothers and sisters-house-village’. Whereas in previous years, it was chiefly orphans, today in European countries it is almost exclusively, and in countries outside Europe increasingly, so-called ‘social orphans’ who are being taken in by the SOS Children's Villages. Co-operation with the child's biological family, which presents a great challenge for the child, the SOS Children's Village Mother, the educators and family helpers, has meanwhile become one of the essential elements of the SOS Children's Village concept.

Alongside creating new family structures, SOS Children's Villages tries to support and accompany families at risk of being broken up by economic and social discrimination and to facilitate lives in long-term independence through the 174 SOS Social Centres located world-wide. According to UNICEF, 40% of children outside of Europe live with their parents under the poverty level. The consequences are malnutrition, no access to education, unemployment, inadequate provision of medical care and violence towards women and children.

In the context of help to self-help, the SOS Social Centres cater first and foremost for women, who along with children count among the first victims of poverty. To strengthen women is one of the essential requirements in strengthening the family. Services on offer range from day-care centres for children to courses in dressmaking, cookery, keeping farm animals and computers, through to offering advice on medical, social and employment matters, hygiene and how to care for infants. At the same time, SOS Social Centres organise a number of local projects which help improve both individually as well as collectively the economic and vocational perspectives within the local communities. Solving problems and making decisions together as well as joint responsibility for the well-being, rights and needs of children are the priority. Talking about the significance of the social centres, SOS Children's Village President Helmut Kutin said, ‘Through our SOS Social Centres, we want to help families in need receive support so that the children can grow up with their biological families. In this context, these centres are to be seen as an extension of the SOS Children's Villages, which complement our key goal - to offer children a new home and a secure future.’
Contact: Claudia Schachinger, Liaison Office, SOS-Kinderdorf International, Billrothstraße 22, A-1190 Vienna, Austria, Phone: 43-1-368 24 57-20, Fax: 43-1-368 89 18, Email: Claudia.Schachinger@sos-kd.org, Web: http://www.sos-kd.org/or

FAMILY-RELATED NGO NEWS

SOS Social Centres Officially Opened In Latin America
A number of new SOS Social Centres have been opened during March in Latin America, namely in Venezuela, Ecuador, Bolivia, a further one is planned in Peru. The SOS-Social Centres aim to prevent the neglect of children and help families in the local areas in the fight against poverty. They have been operating since 1985 on the continent as an extension of the SOS children’s villages’ programmes.

The centres are mainly located in the poorest areas of cities, where unemployment and poverty have forced many families to migrate, often leaving their children behind; or where violence, child labour, malnutrition, chronic illnesses and illiteracy are rampant, striking impoverished families.

The SOS Social Centres run day care centres, which take care of the children while their parents are at work. The children receive a nutritious meals and medical care and are also taking part in a pre-school programme. In addition the SOS Social Centre is supporting the establishment of ‘hogares comunitarios’, which are made up of families in the local neighbourhood. ‘Family Committees’ assemble a group of 8-15 families in the local community which elect its own representatives and engage in community participation, aiming to find solutions together. Each group also takes care of ten to fifteen children while their parents are at work in order to expand capacities and aim at self-reliance of the families. Here, SOS Children's Villages acts as an advisor concerning educational issues and provides food for the children. 

Training programmes, particularly targeting women, offer courses on reading and daily life (nutrition, hygiene, medical or child care), vocational training, empowerment. They receive advice and support in their dealings with labour offices, in employment schemes, and assistance with establishing micro-enterprises. Families benefit also from legal advice and counselling.
For further information please contact: Claudia Schachinger, Liaison Office, SOS-Kinderdorf International, Billrothstraße 22, A-1190 Vienna, Austria, Phone: 43-1-368 24 57-20, Fax: 43-1-368 89 18, Email: Claudia.Schachinger@sos-kd.org, Web: http://www.sos-kd.org/or

The Family Federation Of Finland, Vaestoliitto
Celebrates a yearly ‘Week of Home’ every last week of September. Then a Family Barometer is published that measures general views on family and its importance. During the ‘Week of Home’, the Family Federation of Finland hands over its own ‘Peak to the Future’ award, for the work that has been done for the home and family. Amongst the receivers of this award have been representatives from social, cultural and educational areas. The main idea for the ‘Week of Home’ is to be informative.
Contact: Maija Baijars, Koulutuspäällikkö, Väestöliitto, Phone: 358-9-228 05108, Fax: 358-40-501 8644.

International Year Of The Family In Different Regions Of Argentina
There are 159 centres in Argentina for the prevention of children in the street and promotion of their own families. Argentina is divided into five regions each one with one Delegate as a chief of Family Support.
Further information: Dr Ana Mon, President International Confederation of Family Support Apoyo Familiar, 33 nº 1118 (1900), La Plata, Bs As Argentina, Email: faafciaf@netverk.com.ar

RECENT AND FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Out Of Control And In Your School - Reducing Antisocial Behaviour In School
London, United Kingdom, 1 May 2001
Kidscape is a registered charity committed to keeping children safe from harm or abuse. This pioneering Kidscape conference will include: deterring and dealing with aggression in schools, social skills, anger control and moral reasoning. 
Further information: Kidscape, 2 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1W ODH, United Kingdom, Phone: 44-207-730 3300, Fax: 44-207-730 7081, Web: http://www.kidscape.org.uk/kidscape

International Seminar On Racism And Xenophobia
Vienna International Centre, Austria, 7 May 2001
Organised by the Alliance of NGOs on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice and the NGO Committee on Ageing, Development, Family, Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, Peace and Women, this Seminar highlighted the United Nations International Year of Mobilisation Against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Racial Intolerance.
Contact: CONGO Vienna Office, Fax: 43-1-26060 5985, Email: congongo@unvienna.org

Exit - Ways Out Of Violence For Children And Youth
Osnabruck, Germany, 8-10 May 2001
This conference is organised by the children's aid organisation Terres des Hommes, Germany e.V., and the City of Peace, Osnabruck. The conference aims to set into motion an exchange of experience between the 'North' and the 'South' concerning the causes, the incidence and - above all - the possible solutions for ways out of violence executed by children and youth. 
Further information: Terre des Hommes, Deutschland e.V, P.O. Box 4126, 49031 Osnabruck, Germany, Phone: 49-541-7101 135, Fax: 49-541-707233, Email: exit@tdh.de

International Symposium On Building Family Strengths
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA, 8-10 May 2001
Families all over the world address common issues and share common problems and concerns. The Building Family Strengths International Symposium offers an opportunity to hear research, public policy analyses, effective approaches in teaching, and programmes that work. 
Further information: Building Family Strengths International Symposium, Dept. of Family and Consumer Sciences, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln NE 68583-0801, USA, Phone: 1-402-472 8209, Email: cwills2@unl.edu, Web: http://familystrengths.unl.edu/

Beyond The Myths: A Conference On Improving Community And Professional Responses To The Needs Of Families Headed By Parents With Exceptional Learning Needs
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada, 25-27 May 2001
Presenters and participants share their knowledge and experiences in applying successful approaches which optimise children's safety, health and development and which build parents' and families' capacities and skills. Conference presentations focus primarily on experience and practice in Canada, the United States and Australia. The conference has five overlapping themes: history; experiences of families; parenting assessment and education; family support issues; legal issues and advocacy. 
For information: Sue Morgan (registration), Phone: 1-250-386 0252, Email: sjmorgan@telus.net; or Fred Ford (programme), Phone: 1-250-388 9571, Email: jfford@home.com, Web: http://members.home.net/beyond-the-myths/

The Child As A Citizen In Europe - Conference On The Rights Of The Child 
Orebro, Sweden, 30-31 May 2001
Taking the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child as its starting point, the Orebro Conference on the Rights of the Child will address issues concerning the status of the child within EU member states and applicant states, and it will highlight the importance of realising an active child policy in Europe. The themes of the conference will be 'Children and Poverty', 'Ethnic Minorities', 'Separated Refugee Children', 'Sexually Exploited Children' and 'Children with Functional Disabilities'. Speakers from all parts of Europe will be sharing their insight into these issues, and the topics will be debated in talks, workshops and panel debates. 
Further information: Ms Gunnel Olsson, Phone: 46-19-211 582, Email: info@children2001.org, Web: http://www.children2001.org/english/index.asp

Demographic Conference
Helsinki, Finland, 7-9 June 2001
Organised jointly by the Family Federation of Finland, the European Association for Population Studies (EAPS), Statistics Finland and the Finnish Demographic Society. The Conference aims at providing insights into the variations in European population trends and patterns, the various contexts which shape this variety and its multiple consequences. A full range of population issues will be covered by this general conference and although its main focus is on Europe’s population the conference will also address global population issues. The themes of this conference include also ‘Families and Households’, ‘Population Ageing’, ‘Fertility, Contraception and Reproductive Health’.
Contact: Stina Fågel, M.A. (Educ.), Research Secretary, Population Research Institute, Iso Roobertinkatu 20-22, P.O. Box 849, 00101 Helsinki, Finland, Phone: 358-9-228 05 120, Fax: 358-9-6121 211, Email: stina.fagel@vaestoliitto.fi, Web: http://www.vaestoliitto.fi/EAPS2001.htm

A Question Of Time: Partners, Parents: Perceptions And Priorities
Stockholm, Sweden, 17-20 June 2001
The International Commission on Marriage and Interpersonal Relations (ICMIR) will devote its Year 2001 International Conference to a multi-disciplinary examination of the ways that family relationships are affected by the different concepts and uses of time found throughout the world. Keynote speakers will explore the subject in terms of individuals' relationships, family structures, and the wider society. Workshops will address related issues arising from legislation, social policy, employment practices, migration, cultural diversity, children’s' welfare, and approaches to relationship therapy. The conference participants, themselves leaders in their professional fields, will extend the work of the Conference through their involvement in multi-national, inter-disciplinary group activity. This is ICMIR's 48th International Conference and it carries the Commission's work forward by once again providing a unique forum for the members of all those professions concerned with the welfare of people in their family settings.
Contact: Mrs. Gerlind Richards, General Secretary, ICMIR, 4 Barnfield Wood Close, Beckenham, Kent BR3 6SY, United Kingdom, Phone: 44-20-8663 0445, Fax: 44-20-8663 0445/8313 3247, Email: richards@icmir.fsnet.co.uk

Parental Substance Misuse: Children's Needs
London, United Kingdom, 21 June 2001 
This is a one-day conference exploring how the Department of Health Framework for the assessment of children in need and their families can assist work with children of substance misusing parents. 
Further information: Caroline Skinner, Consultation, Advice and Training Services, P.O. Box 339, Guildford Surry GU1 2YX, United Kingdom, Phone/Fax: 44-1483-855 803, Email: c.a.skinner@ntlworld.com

Family Therapy 2001 'Travelling Through Time And Space'
Budapest, Hungary, 27-30 June 2001
Jointly organised by the European Family Therapy Association (EFTA) and the Hungarian Family Therapy Association. Main topics of the IVth European Conference and the XVth Hungarian National Conference on Family Therapy will be: Family Therapy in Medicine, Family Therapy and the Social Sciences, Changing Approaches to Research in Family Therapy, Philosophies of Training in Family Therapy, Family Therapy in Different Cultural Contexts, Family Therapy and the Media, Narrative, Language and Psychotherapy, Couple Therapy, Sex Therapy, Pharmacology, Biotechnology and the Family, Passions and Addictions, Systemic Approaches to Family Businesses, The Evolution of Family Therapy in Clinical Practice, Systemic Approaches in Non-Clinical Contexts. Official languages: English, French, German, Hungarian, Italian and Spanish. Translation will be provided for the plenary sessions. 
Further information: Mr. Tamas Kurimay M.D. Ph.D., Hungarian Family Therapy Association, Kœtvšlgyi œt 4, 1125 Budapest, Hungary, Phone/Fax: 36-1-200 9844, Phone: 36-1-391 0313, Email: familyth@matavnet.hu, Web: http://www.c3.hu/~familyth

Fourth Child And Family Policy Conference - Children And Young People: Their Environments
Dunedin, New Zealand, 28-30 June 2001 
The Children's Issues Centre from the University of Otago is sponsoring this conference. Topics covered will include: natural and outdoor environments; participation and involvement; contexts and neighbourhoods; play and recreation areas; planning - local and central government; social and economic environments; virtual environments; learning and therapeutic environments; and safe and unsafe environments. 
Further information: Children and Young People: Their Environments, Children's Issues Centre, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand, Phone: 64-3-479 5038, Fax: 64-3-479 5039, Email: cic@otago.ac.nz

Creating A New Era Of Family: Tradition, Transition And Transformation
Taipei, Taiwan, 17-20 July 2001
The purpose of this 11th International Congress of the Asian Regional Association for Home Economics is to consider what kinds of family transitions have confronted Taiwan recently and how other countries are responding to their own transformations to ensure the cohesiveness of the family unit.
Contact: Round Table PCO, 3F, Lane 415, Kuangfu South Road, 110 Taipei, Taiwan, Phone: 886-2-2758 2602, Fax: 886-2-2729 8638, Email: arahe11@rtpco.com.tw, Web: http://www.ntnu.edu.tw/hme

7th International Family Violence Research Conference
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, USA, 22-25 July 2001
This conference is sponsored by the Family Research Laboratory and Crimes Against Children Research Centre at the University of New Hampshire, and is part of an ongoing series of conferences on all aspects of family violence. The conference provides an opportunity for researchers and scientists/practitioners from a broad array of disciplines to come together for the purpose of sharing, integrating and critiquing accumulated knowledge on family violence.
Further information: Melissa Averill, Conference Facilitator, University of New Hampshire, 126 Horton Social Science Centre, Durham, NH 03824, USA, Phone: 1-603-862 0767, Fax: 1-603-862 1122, Email: maverill@hopper.unh.edu, Web: http://www.unh.edu/frl

World Assembly Of The International Confederation Of Christian Family Movements 
Maceio, State of Alagoas, Brazil, 25-29 July 2001
On the theme ‘Ethics of Life in a Globalised and Excluding World’.
Contact: Jose and Margarita Pich, World Presidents ICCFM – CIMFC, Phone/Fax: 93-540-2007, Email: lamarkis@adam.es

4th International Conference On The Prevention And Treatment Of Dependencies: ‘Science Meets Practice’
Heidelberg, Germany, 2-6 September 2001
Organised by the International Council on Alcoholism and Addictions (ICAA). Topics include: Diversification of Treatment and Management – changing paradigms; Addiction Research and Practice – across five continents; Smoking as a Habit and Addiction – the public health problem; Occupational Health, Substance Use, Productivity and Profit - relationship; round table on ‘Abstinence and substance use – a health issue?’. Besides these main topics, it is planned to address in approx. 20 sections and special events all issues of addiction related subjects, among these a youth forum and an extensive exhibition forum. Simultaneous translation of the core programme in English/French/German will be provided.
ICAA is also seeking sponsorship from journalists/publication houses that play an important role in the dissemination of information in the field of substance and addiction. The sponsorship scheme can be obtained from the address below.
Contact: ICAA, P.O. Box 189, CH-1001 Lausanne, Switzerland, Phone: 41-21-320 9865, Fax: 41-21-320 9817, Email: secretariat@icaa.ch, Web: http://www.icaa.ch or http://www.fachklinikeiterbach.de 

Inaugural Pan Pacific Family Therapy Conference - Voices ... Across Culture, Time And Sea
Melbourne, Australia, 4-7 September 2001 
This event will honour family therapy's past, confront the present and embrace the future across different clinical and cultural contexts. International speakers include Dr. Salvador Minuchin and Dr. Alan Gurman. The Congress will draw together practitioners, researchers, educators, trainers and students of family therapy. Each day of the Congress will emphasise a different aspect of the theme. Presenters are welcome to interpret 'culture', 'time', and 'sea' and their relevance to therapy in the broadest sense. 
For further information please contact: Inaugural Pan Pacific Family Therapy Conference (PPFTC), PR Conference Consultants, P.O. Box 2954, Fitzroy Delivery Centre, Victoria 3065, Australia, Web: http://www.anzjft.com/conference2001

World Congress On Family Law And The Rights Of Children And Youth
Bath, United Kingdom, 18-21 September 2001
Further information: Capital Conferences Pty Ltd, PO Box N399, Grosvenor Place NSW 1220, United Kingdom, Phone: 44-20-9252 3388, Fax: 44-20-9241 5282, Email: capcon@ozemail.com.au 

Marriage And Relationship Education National Conference
Melbourne, Australia, 21-24 September 2001
The theme of this conference from the Marriage Educators Association of Australia and the Catholic Society for Marriage Education is 2001: odyssey of discovery - dealing with differences. It will provide an opportunity to explore current and emerging issues associated with the developing field of marriage and relationship education, consider innovative models of service delivery and practice, and share a wide range of relevant experiences from both international and domestic perspectives. Papers are invited, to be received by 30 April 2001. 
Further information: MARENC 2001, P.O. Box 324, North Geelong, Victoria 3215, Australia, Email: fgiggins@bethany.org.au

The Education Of The Very Young
Rome, Italy, 15-19 October 2001
Yearly meeting on problematic aspects of today’s youth education. This year’s event will concentrate its attention on information as an educational medium, and will see the participation of philosophers, undertakers and industrialists. The discussion topics will include: different educational approaches from Montessori to Steiner, to Bauhaus to the phenomenon of IKEA; human policies for human globalisation; do machines and human complement each other?; educational policies and strategies; ethics, religion and morality confronting globalisation; education and trade; body, hands and creativity; rights and duties in education and labour.
For further information please contact: Italian Centre of Solidarity (CeIS), via Ambrosini 129, 00147 Rome, Italy, Phone: 39-06-5419 5216, Fax: 39-06-5407 304, Email: ceis@ceis.it, Web: http://www.ceis.it

World Day For Prevention Of Child Abuse
19 November (launched in 2000)
Promotes education and skills to protect children from abuse. You are invited to sign the PETITION which will be transmitted to the UN Special Session on Children in September 2001. As of 2000, World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse will take place every year on 19 November in synergy with the Children's Rights Day on 20 November. The Day was created and launched by the Women's World Summit Foundation and its World Fund for the Dignity of Children, in partnership with the Coalition for Children. Purpose: to disseminate worldwide public educational briefings and protective skills to help prevent child abuse and neglect, and give guidelines on Internet filters of protection for the good use of the net. Aim: to help provide children, families and communities with skills and resources they need to prevent abuse, cope with effects, and to end such practices. 
For further information, contact: Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF), PO Box 2001, 1211 Geneva 1, Switzerland, Tel: 41-22-738 6619, Fax: 41-22-738 8248, Email: wwsf@iprolink.ch 

European Federation Of The Elderly (EURAG)
recently held and will hold a number of meetings:
•	Europe on the Move - Movement, Health and Practice, 2-3 June 2000
•	Growing Older in a Foreign Country - Integration or Isolation?, Colloquy in Berlin, Germany, 26-27 October 2000
•	How to Use Movement, Music and Dance to Expand Your Brainpower, 25 November 2000
•	Access of Older People to Education, Colloquy in Vienna, Austria, 9 February 2001
•	Voluntary Work, Seminar in Berlin, Germany, April 2001
•	International Year of Volunteers, Colloquy in Bratislava, Slovak Republic, 20-23 June 2001
•	EURAG Congress, Turin, Italy, 20-27 May 2002
•	Second UN World Assembly on Ageing, Madrid, Spain, 2002, Web: http:www.un.org/esa/socdev/ageing
Request the newsletter: EURAG Information, Wielandgasse 9, A-8010 Graz, Austria, Phone: 43-316-814 608, Fax: 43-316 814 767, Email: eurag.europe@aon.at, Web: http://www.eurag.org

International Conference On Adolescence Parent-Child 2002
London, Business Design Centre, United Kingdom, 18-19 April 2002
The conference will address a range of research and social policy issues surrounding adolescence, and follows the successful Parent-Child 2000 event which focused on Early Years. A number of key speakers have already confirmed their attendance. 
The organisers are now inviting offers of papers from researchers, teachers, practitioners, youth workers, policy analysts and voluntary organisations. Papers from all points of view and perspectives are welcome. Papers may present the results of research, describe work in progress or raise questions for social policy debate on issues affecting adolescents for example:
•	The changing social, economic and cultural context of adolescence
•	What research says about surviving the years between childhood and adolescence, from both the parents’ and children’s perspective
•	The kind of parenting that produces resilient teenagers
•	Is adolescence now more challenging than in the past?
•	How parenting can affect offending behaviour
•	Adolescence and social policy
•	Taking risks without harming others
•	New challenges for adolescents
Parent-Child 2000 featured the presentation of high quality and original papers from a wide range of researchers, and it is expected that the 2002 event will be oversubscribed, so the early submission of papers is strongly recommended.

Key speakers include Professor Laurence Steinberg of Temple University in Philadelphia, on the subject of parent-adolescent relations; and Professor Robert Blum of the University of Minnesota, who will present the findings from a study that is the largest health survey ever carried out with teenagers. Norway’s Ombudsman for Children, Trond Waage, will be speaking on redefining roles in modern childhood. Professor Carol Smart of the University of Leeds will speak on family life after divorce; and Dr Ann Phoenix of the Open University and Professor Stephen J Frosh of Birkbeck College, London, will speak on understanding young masculinity.

Parent-Child 2002 is organised by the National Family and Parenting Institute, the Parenting Education and Support Forum, the National Council for One-Parent Families, the Open University and the Trust for the Study of Adolescence. The event is managed by Profile Productions. The conference is aimed at health professionals, practitioners, clinicians, policy makers, researchers, academics, teachers, psychologists, educationalists, representatives of voluntary organisations and all who work with young people and their families. There will also be a conference exhibition, and any organisation or individual with material to exhibit or showcase, or with general enquiries about Profile Productions PC 2002 should contact Profile Productions as below.
People wishing to offer a paper should send the title, an abstract of no more than 200 words, and a short biography of the main contributor to: Profile Productions (PC 2002), Northumberland House, 11 The Pavement, Popes Lane, London W5 4NG, United Kingdom, Phone: 44-20-8832 7311, Fax: 44-20-8832 7301, Email: profilep@dial.pipex.com
Press information: National Family and Parenting Institute Press Office, Phone: 44-20-7424 3471, Fax: 44-20-7485 3590, Email: jenner@nfpi.org, Web: http://www.nfpi.org

Second World Conference On Family Violence
Prague, Czech Republic, May 2003
Protecting Every Generation...sharing solutions that prevent child abuse, spouse/partner abuse, and elder abuse. This conference will address the area of intergenerational family violence, specifically in relation to: child abuse, spouse/partner abuse and elder abuse - with emphasis on new, tested solutions world wide in prevention and treatment. 
Further information: International Network on Family Violence (INFV), c/o National Council on Child Abuse and Family Violence (NCCAFV) in co-operation with Our Child Foundation (OCF) of the Czech Republic, 1155 Connecticut Avenue NW, Fourth Floor, Washington, DC 20036, USA, Phone: 1-202 429 6695, Fax: 1-831-655 3930, Email: WCFV@aol.com, Web: http://www.nccafv.org/

National statistics continue to indicate a decline in child abuse and neglect, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported in April. States had reported that just over 900,000 children were victims of child maltreatment in 1998. That number dropped to 826,000 in 1999. The incidence rate of children victimised by maltreatment also declined to 11.8 per 1,000 children, a decrease from the 1998 rate of 12.6 per 1,000. In a trend that began six years ago, the number of victimised children has decreased approximately 19.2 percent from a record of 1,018,692 in 1993. Parents continue to be the main perpetrators of child maltreatment. ‘We are encouraged by the continuing decline in the number of children who are maltreated, but it is nevertheless unacceptable that so many children are suffering,’ said HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson. ‘We will continue to encourage States to do everything they can to prevent child abuse and neglect. We must remain committed to ensuring that all children live in safe, permanent and loving homes.’ The complete findings of States' reports to the National Child Abuse and Neglect Data System (NCANDS) are published in ‘Child Maltreatment 1999’. The report is available on the Children's Bureau Website: http://www.acf.dhhs.gov/programs/cb/publications. For a print copy, contact the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information, Phone: 800-FYI-3366, Email: nccanch@calib.com. 

INTRODUCING

The Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF)
An international, non-profit, non-confessional NGO and empowerment agency with United Nations ECOSOC consultative status, based in Geneva, Switzerland, that works for the implementation of women’s and children’s rights. WWSF convenes the annual Prize for women’s creativity in rural life, World Rural Women’s Day 15 October, the World Fund for the Dignity of Children, and the World Day for Prevention of Child Abuse 19 November.
Contact: Women’s World Summit Foundation (WWSF), P.O. Box 2001, 1211 Geneva 1, Switzerland, Phone: 41-22-738 66 19, Fax: 41-22-738 82 48, Email: dignity@vtxnet.ch, Web: http:www.woman.ch

The Centro Italiano Di Solidarietà (CeIS)
A non-profit association, founded towards the end of the 1960s by Don Mario Picchi. It was created to solve the problems of marginalisation and youth maladjustment, and to promote a culture of solidarity and community awareness, in line with the spirit of volunteering. During the 70s, drugs began to be used widespread on an alarming scale, so CeIS decided to concentrate its efforts on this problem, both through prevention and with educational and therapeutic services of reception, rehabilitation and social re-entry for drug addicts. After a few experiences collaborating with other groups, CeIS developed a philosophy of its own based on a unique synthesis of volunteering and professionality, called 'Progetto Uomo'. The Progetto Uomo is not simply a methodology, nor is it a therapy. It is, rather, a practical anthropology, a set of ideas, values and operative proposals that form a style of service. In 1979, CeIS' first Therapeutic Community was founded. Soon after, several different therapeutic programmes took form, structured into educational itineraries in several steps. CeIS programmes give great importance to the participation of the family, both by promoting self-help groups in the Family Association, and through the Parallel Family Involvement Service. 

Also in 1979, the 'Casa del Sole' Training school was founded. The School organises theoretic-practical training courses for workers in public and private institutions. So far, 6,000 people coming from 30 different countries in all continents have been trained at the School. With the passage of time CeIS has diminished its role with other centres it had trained and helped to develop. As these centres grew and increased their own capacities they have created their own training facilities. Some of the younger centres still look to CeIS and use its name, but with increasing maturity they, too, choose their own denominations and express their autonomy.

CeIS is actively involved in the field of information, prevention and research. In particular, a magazine called 'Il Delfino', which has been published every other month for the past 20 years, contains thoughts, analysis results, proposals and in-depth studies into the subject of addiction, social maladjustment and solidarity. Ever since its beginning, CeIS has worked in an international context, developing several international co-operation initiatives and projects. In 1985, the UN ECOSOC accorded CeIS the status of Non-Governmental Organisation (Category II). In 1987, the Italian Foreign Ministry and the European Economic Community recognised CeIS as an institution with authorisation to carry out international co-operation projects. CeIS international co-operation service gives special attention to social and health development, to strengthening educational and preventive programmes and to training of social workers specialised in the field of educational and therapeutic intervention.
Contact: CeIS, Via Attilio Ambrosini 129, 00147 Rome, Italy, Phone: 39-06-5419 5216, Fax: 39-06-5407 304, Email: ceis@ceis.it, Web: http://www.ceis.it

Projects of the Vienna NGO Committee on the Family are supported by:

•	Arbeitsgemeinschaft der Bäuerinnen in Niederösterreich
•	Austrian Federal Government 
•	Bank Austria
•	Creditanstalt Bankverein
•	European Commission
•	Government of Germany
•	Government of Liechtenstein
•	Government of Luxembourg
•	Government of Spain, Catalonia and the Balearic Islands
•	INGOs
•	Niederösterreichische Landesregierung
•	Niederösterreichische Versicherungs AG
•	OMV
•	Shell Austria AG
•	Schoeller-Bleckmann Oilfield Equipment AG
•	Rotary International
•	United Nations Trust Fund on Family Activities

THE Vienna NGO Committee on the Family WILL BE HAPPY TO FORWARD CONTACT ADDRESSES FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON NOTICES IN THIS ISSUE.

‘Families International’ an information-sharing bulletin published by:
Vienna NGO Committee on the Family, Martinstrasse 92/3, A-1180 Vienna, Austria, Phone/Fax: 43-1-405 89 01, Email: famcom.vienna@utanet.at 
Printed by in-house duplication. The views published do not necessarily reflect the views of the members of the Vienna NGO Committee on the Family. 
Editors: Editorial Committee: Peter Crowley, Eva Matt, Winston Sims.
Co-Editors: Eva Matt, Winston Sims.
Layout: Sabine Führer.

SPECIAL FEATURE:
Male Involvement in Families